COURSE CONTENT: This course will provide officers with an overview of the skills needed to understand and utilize Basic Traffic Crash Investigation (Accident) techniques and procedures. While this course is primarily intended as an update and review for patrol officers who handle routine traffic crash investigations on a daily basis within the State of Illinois, it will also serve as an excellent introduction to more advanced traffic crash investigation techniques.

Course topics will include:

The purpose of traffic crash investigation

Defining what a traffic crash/accident is

Proper response and scene duties

Overview of proper scene management and evidence preservation

The difference between “Reporting” and “Investigation”

Illinois Traffic Law relative to a traffic crash/accident including recent case law

Common traffic violations contributing to traffic crash/accidents

Discussion and review of the importance of basic documentation of evidence, field sketches and photography

Traffic enforcement measures which can assist in reducing traffic crash/accidents

The proper method of completing a State of Illinois Traffic Crash Report (IDOT PowerPoint)